DACRON Wing Technology

• It benefits from the strongest construction on the market. And yet it is lighter! While nothing is indestructible, we still want wings capable of coping with the worst treatments and equipping the best riders.
  
• The seams are further reinforced, always with the aim of increasing the longevity of your wings. The reinforcements are strategically positioned so that the wing can withstand all the stresses you will apply to it during use.
  
• We are the opposite of the basic wing technology of low cost brands. Our low prices can only be explained by the absence of intermediaries. Our wings are built according to the rules of the art, to last and endure the usual constraints of this new sport.
  
• At GONG our wings are top of the range and if by bad luck you were to break them, they are repairable from A to Z with the components that we keep in stock for your favorite repairer.

The structure of our wings is composed of a leading edge and a central strut in Dacron DIMENSION POLYANT DP175LL which form a rigid skeleton when the internal TPU bladders are inflated.

Dacron DP175LL is a very durable and very rigid polyester fabric, and this particular variant is also light. A true world reference for Dacron, it is the most proven material on the market. It is perfect for giving excellent performance for as long as possible. It is also easy to find for discreet repairs.

The rigidity of the structure is ensured by bladders in the leading edge and in the central batten. Our bladders are made of 80 microns thick TPU for added strength. The tubes themselves and all the accessories are heat-sealed to withstand significant pressures.

The structure is made up of two independent bladders: one for the leading edge and one for the batten. Connected by the One Pump system, you can inflate them simultaneously thanks to the valve on the leading edge. The One Pump clip separates the airflow between the two bladders at the end of inflation. You thus benefit from a double chamber of safety when sailing and an ease of replacement if necessary.

We dress the structure of the wing with a 50g/m² spinnaker canvas, so very light, but weaved in triple ripstop to stiffen and strengthen it. Three large-diameter fibers reinforce the fabric at regular intervals and in two 90° axes. This mesh will stop the tears and prevent them from spreading. But it will also lock the deformations of the fabric to guarantee the stability of the shape when sailing.

This fabric is coated with a protective layer that forms a near impermeable barrier to air and protects it from the sun and humidity so that it lasts as long as possible. This surface treatment also has a water-repellent effect to repel water on the spinnaker instantly and lighten the wing when sailing.

Assembly:

The panels are cut using a numerical control. Accuracy is absolute to guarantee you a shape that is 100% compliant with our 3D design.

The assembly of the panels is achieved by a succession of sometimes very complex seams. Indeed, while the flat seams in the canopy remain simple, other assemblies such as the batten for example must be sewn using specific techniques, to withstand the constraints of this new sport.

The canopy is an assembly of spinnaker panels that define the profile of the wing with cutouts precisely defined in design on the 3D software SurfPlan. These cutouts are necessary to create a 3D shape from a “flat” fabric, but they also serve to stiffen the canopy in the directions where the efforts are the greatest. Our huge laser cutting table combines precision and pace in order to obtain a result that meets our requirements.

The shape evolves considerably from one model to another depending on the wing program: ease of use, range of use, dynamism, reactivity, performance… And it is our R&D center made up of engineers, 3-D designers, our shaper and GONG team riders, who are responsible for developing the best solutions for your uses.

The fixing parts are designed for assembly without play. They are completely removable in 30 seconds, therefore scalable and interchangeable with textile, rigid or boom handles.

The handles are screwed onto strap reinforcements that go around the central batten to distribute the forces over the entire circumference of the latter. This system has already proven itself for many years on our wings with textile handles, and this for uses over 12 months.
The assembly sandwiches the webbing for maximum strength and allows no twisting. And the cherry on the cake: the screwing nut is a standard US foil fixing nut. A smart choice to never find yourself helpless 😉

In order to protect the wing from rigid parts, we use Kevlar reinforcements, very expensive materials but which offer incomparable abrasion resistance. We have made the choice not to use sewn flexible plastic whose lifespan is quite poor in the marine environment, under heavy loads and because of UV.
The fixation parts are made of nylon loaded with 20% fiberglass, which guarantees them a very high durability. In addition, this material reduces the risk of damaging your board: nothing is worse than carbon hitting carbon. The nylon is perfectly rigid but sufficiently absorbent in case of shocks. We also advise beginners to favor textile handles to protect their board and their front teeth 😉 Ditto when you try your first back flips and end up lying on the central strut!!!

The tubes of our rigid handles and of the boom* are made of prepreg carbon applied in 4 directions for minimum weight and maximum strength/stiffness. It’s the most high-end tech on the market to make no concessions between stiffness, weight and performance. With their oval section, they offer better grip for less fatigue and maximum comfort. The ovalization also offers more rigidity while allowing the diameter to be reduced. Our rigid handles are covered with a textured molded grip which further improves its grip and reduces effort. It’s velvet…(*in option)